In the years just prior to the American Revolution and the formation of the United States, American Indians in the eastern portion of North America were dealing with and adjusting to the continuing British colonization efforts. In some instances, the British considered Indian tribes as sovereign nations, holding councils with them and negotiating treaties, In other instances, the British saw Indian people as a conquered people, and like the Irish, were subject to English administrators.
Briefly described below are some of the interactions between American Indians and the British.
Iroquois
The League of Six Nations, commonly referred to as the Iroquois, was a formal confederacy of six nations: Senaca, Cayuga, Mohawk, Onondaga, Oneida, and Tuscarora.
In New York the British superintendent of Indian Affairs, Sir William Johnson, called together a grand council to discuss problems in the Ohio country. More than 600 Iroquois attended the council. Seneca archaeologist Arthur Caswell Parker, in his 1952 book Red Jacket: Seneca Chief, reports:
“Both sides were frank in their statements, but British officials were embarrassed because they had little defense for the lawless acts of their settlers.”
The Iroquois from Oquaga in Pennsylvania were dismayed because the map used at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix was inaccurate and deprived them of a great deal of land. In addition, chief Sachem Adam Addyngkahnorum asked Johnson to settle a dispute regarding missionary work. There was a division in the village among those who would prefer the Church of England rites, and the English missionary who refused to abide by the Church of England. Johnson told them that he would not interfere in matters of religion.
During the council, Sir William suddenly choked and died.
Shawnee
In the Treaty of Camp Charlotte between the Shawnees and Kentucky, the Shawnees agreed to open more land for European settlement. They agreed to give up their rights to lands south of the Ohio River and not to cross the river. However, the Cherokees also claimed some of the land which was to be opened.
Following this treaty, Shawnee leader Cornstalk pursued a policy of peace with the British and later with the Americans.
Pequot
In Connecticut the Pequots, through their overseer, once again petitioned the General Assembly to have their reservation surveyed. The General Assembly appointed a committee to complete the survey.
Praying Towns
In New England, Christian Indians from seven praying towns—Charlestown, Groton, Stonington, Niantic, Farmington, Montauk, and Mohegan—were removed to Brothertown, New York. Here they no longer had enough land to support themselves.
Gay Head
The General Court of Massachusetts appointed a Gay Head man as one of three overseers of the Gay Head tribe.
Traders
In Michigan, Oneida trader Sarah Ainse moved her trading operations to Detroit. The scale of her trading operation was seen in the fact that she was able to borrow more than £3,000 based on her good credit and her extensive Indian contacts. She purchased a town lot and several slaves.
In Wisconsin, trader Peter Pond (1739-1807) of the Montreal-based North West Company reported that the Midwestern tribes and the independent French traders met in the fall and in the spring at Prairie du Chien for trading festivities that included ballgames. Boats from Louisiana brought trade goods which included wine, ham, and cheese.
In Minnesota, trader Peter Pond reported that the Mdewakanton Sioux were raising plenty of corn. After planting the corn in the spring, they would leave for the summer buffalo hunt on the Plains. In the fall they would return to harvest the corn and wild rice.
Houma
In Louisiana, Houma chief Calabee sold his village site on the east side of the Mississippi to European settlers. The Houmas at this time had three villages: one village under the leadership of Calabee, one located about two and a half leagues above Calabee’s village, and the third some distance from the river.
More 18th-century histories
Indians 101: American Indians and the Spanish 250 years ago, 1774
Indians 101: Lord Dunmore's War of 1774
Indians 101: Some American Indian events 250 years ago, 1773
Indians 101: American Indians and Europeans 250 years ago, 1773
Indians 201: The Tuscaroras join the Iroquois League
Indians 101: Washington's Chehalis Indians and the Americans in 1792
Indians 201: Ute Indians and the Spanish quest for silver in 1765
Indians 101: Little Turtle's War